Development of high strength low alloy steels for marine applications: Part 2: Simulation of marine exposure of steel by means of laboratory tests in flowing sea water

Abstract

Sixteen experimental high strength low alloy steels were exposed to natural flowing sea water in the laboratory and in the harbour of den Helder at a depth of 8 m for a period of 2 years. Differences in the corrosion rates of the various steels were less pronounced in the laboratory tests than in the harbour. The effects of the alloying elements aluminium, chromium: and molybdenum on general corrosion and pitting were found to be in general agreement with those obtained from earlier exposure tests at depths of 45 and 90 m in the North Sea. A fairly good correlation was found between the general corrosion rates measured from weight losses and the results obtained from electrochemical techniques based on determination of polarisation resistance.